Efficient removal of cytotoxic sunitinib from aqueous media using natural bentonite: Adsorption, kinetics, thermodynamics

This study investigates the use of natural bentonite as a low-cost, eco-friendly adsorbent for removing sunitinib, a cytotoxic anticancer drug, from aqueous solutions. XRF and XRD analyses confirmed the smectite structure of bentonite with typical aluminosilicate composition and exchangeable cations. FT-IR analysis indicated interactions between sunitinib and bentonite through shifts in –OH, C=O, and –CH vibrations. BET results showed a surface area of 67.93 m 2 /g and a Type II isotherm, suggesting a macroporous structure. SEM images revealed rough, heterogeneous surfaces in raw bentonite, which became partially covered after adsorption. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of key elements (Si, Al, O, Na, Mg) and showed increased surface carbon after drug loading, verifying organic adsorption. Under optimal conditions (pH 8, 35°C, 15 mg adsorbent, 75 ppm initial concentration), maximum removal efficiency reached 90%. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, indicating a combined physico-chemical mechanism, while intra-particle diffusion analysis revealed a multi-step process. Thermodynamic analysis (ΔH° = –4.52 kJ/mol; ΔG° < 0; ΔS° > 0) suggested the process was spontaneous and exothermic with increased disorder. Desorption studies showed high reusability in alkaline media. Overall, natural bentonite presents a promising, sustainable solution for the effective removal of hazardous pharmaceutical pollutants like sunitinib from water.

Chemically modified waste soda-lime glass as a sustainable adsorbent for temozolomide removal from aqueous solutions

This study investigates the adsorption of the cytotoxic anticancer drug temozolomide (TMZ) from aqueous solutions, providing a sustainable approach to pharmaceutical contaminant removal. Waste flint soda-lime glass (FG) was collected from Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, and prepared by cleaning, grinding, and sieving ( <106 µm). The material was then chemically modified with 1 M NaOH (liquid-to-solid ratio = 10, 24 h) to obtain FG-1 M with enhanced surface reactivity. Characterization results showed no significant phase change between FG and FG-1 M by XRD, whereas the BET surface area increased nearly threefold from 0.33 to 0.95 m 2 /g, after NaOH treatment. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of additional Si-OH groups. Batch adsorption experiments under various conditions demonstrated that FG-1 M achieved over 98% TMZ removal (adsorbent dose: 150 mg/50 mL, pH 7–10, initial concentration: 20–40 mg/L, contact time: 90–150 min, 27 ± 1 °C), while raw FG exhibited negligible adsorption ( <5%). The Langmuir isotherm model (R 2  = 0.9996) best explained the equilibrium data. It had a maximum monolayer capacity (q max ) of 18.16 mg/g. The kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R 2  = 0.9997), which means that the process was controlled by chemisorption. Thermodynamic analyses revealed that adsorption was endothermic (ΔH =  +76.47 kJ/mol) and spontaneous (ΔG = -5.55 to −11.15 kJ/mol) in the range (293.15–313.15 K) and accompanied by an increase in entropy (ΔS =  +279.8 J/mol.K). Regeneration tests with ethanol as a desorbing agent showed that the efficiency of removing TMZ decreased down from 98.32% to 83.31% after five cycles of adsorption and desorption. This shows that the material can be reused, but with a slight decrease of capacity. These findings demonstrate that chemically modified waste glass is a low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient adsorbent comparable to activated carbon, offering a promising route for sustainable wastewater treatment and waste-glass valorization.

Evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of a Benzofuran-Enaminone derivative for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like pathology in rats through regulating the expression of apoptosis and AD-related genes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. There is currently no promising cure for AD; the available treatments can only alleviate the symptoms. The Benzofuran-Enaminone derivative ‘(E)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-3-((2-hydroxyphenyl)amino)prop-2-en-1-one (5)’ was synthesized as a potential anti-AD candidate in Aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 )-induced AD in rats. In vivo and in vitro acute and chronic studies were conducted to examine the potential toxicity, as well as the antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities of compound 5. Then, rats were divided into four groups: (1) negative control; (2) AD-induced rats; (3) AD-induced rats treated with compound 5; and (4) AD-induced rats treated with Donepezil. Behavioral, biochemical, and molecular investigations were conducted. The expression of insulin 1 gene, apoptotic genes, and the AD-related genes were estimated. The selected dose of compound 5 (10 mg/kg) was based on an acute toxicity test, then it was applied for a chronic study for 1 month; no toxicological features were stimulated. In vitro, compound 5 demonstrated antioxidant and anti-AChE activities. The expression of apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3), AD-related genes (Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Tau), and the insulin 1 gene were altered in AD-induced rats versus control rats. Treatment of AD rats with compound 5 counteracted the AlCl 3 -induced neurotoxicity. This study could be regarded as an initial step in drug discovery for testing this new chemical entity as a potent anti-AD therapeutic agent.

Venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the MENA region: initial results from the VEHICLE Registry

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of venous sinus stenting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients across multiple centers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through the Venous stEnt for idiopathic intraCranial hypertEnsion (VEHICLE) Registry. We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the VEHICLE Registry (NCT06692790) between August 2023 and August 2024. From an initial pool of 187 cases, 100 patients met all inclusion criteria: IIH diagnosis based on modified Dandy criteria, neuroimaging-confirmed venous sinus stenosis, refractory or intolerant to medical therapy, underwent venous pressure manometry, and had complete follow-up data. All patients underwent venous sinus stenting at nine collaborating centers. Of 100 patients, 73% were female. All presented with headaches, while 87% reported visual disturbances. Venous stenoses predominantly affected the right transverse sinus (56%). At six months, 83% achieved marked symptom resolution, 80% had normalized optic nerve heads, and stent patency was confirmed in 90%. Papilledema grades improved significantly from median Grade III at baseline to Grade I at 6 months ( p  < 0.001), correlating with increased QOL scores ( p  < 0.001). Sixteen percent required revision procedures. Complication rates were low, with no procedure-related mortality. Significant improvements in headache, papilledema, and quality of life were observed with a favorable safety profile with venous sinus stenting for medically refractory IIH. However, the retrospective design and lack of a control group limit definitive conclusions about efficacy.

Adherence to Oral Nutritional Support and Its Effect on Nutritional Status in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Children with cancer frequently suffer from malnutrition caused by their disease and treatments. This study examines the rates of malnutrition, compliance with nutritional therapy, and its impact on nutritional status in pediatric cancer patients. This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at 12 pediatric hematology and oncology clinics. This study included 385 patients (aged 0.3–18 years) with leukemia–lymphoma and solid tumors that are currently on or had newly started oral nutritional supplement (ONS) treatment. Anthropometric measurements, mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC), body mass index (BMI), weight-for-age (WFA), were collected, and malnutrition risk was evaluated by the nutrition screening tool for childhood cancer (SCAN). Baseline WFA-based malnutrition was 31.0%, increasing to 38.5%, while SCAN≥3 was 83.8% decreasing to 72.4% at the sixth month. Malnutrition risk was more common in sarcoma and central nervous system tumor patients. ONS adherence decreased across all cancer types during the follow-up period. Adherent patients demonstrated higher BMI scores during the study period and MUAC z -scores in the last 2 months compared to the non-adherent group ( P  < 0.04). Our study demonstrates that the use of validated nutrition screening tools, together with adherence strategies, can lead to increased weight-for-age and lower malnutrition risk screening scores.

Ramadan as a Strategic Clinical Window for Preventative Oncology and Behavioral Reset

Growth and yield responses of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus  L.) to foliar treatments with gibberellic acid, Moringa oleifera L., and Caralluma tuberculata L. extracts

Agricultural practices increasingly seek sustainable solutions to enhance crop productivity. This study evaluates the efficacy of organic foliar sprays derived from Moringa oleifera L., and Caralluma tuberculata L. in comparison with the synthetic plant growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and an untreated control. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of these treatments on the growth, yield, and nutrient profile of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.) through a pot experiment. The results demonstrated that applications of GA 3 and Moringa oleifera L. leaf extract significantly enhanced plant height, reaching 139.66 and 130.3 cm, respectively, compared to the control. In contrast, Caralluma tuberculata L. extract had a lesser effect. Yield parameters were also highest in the GA 3 and Moringa oleifera L. treatments. Nutritional analysis revealed a significant increase in the concentration of all measured nutrients except sodium, which showed no significant differences among treatments. Principal component analysis indicated strong positive correlations for the GA 3 and Moringa oleifera L. treatments with improved growth, yield, and nutrient composition, while Caralluma tuberculata L. and the control were negatively correlated with these parameters. In conclusion, both GA 3 and Moringa oleifera L. extract positively influenced okra productivity, whereas Caralluma tuberculata L. extract exhibited adverse effects on growth and yield.

Melissopalynological and volatile organic compound characterization of Nigerian honey ( Apis mellifera L.) from three ecological zones

This study examined six honey samples from southwestern and north-central Nigeria to evaluate their authenticity, floral origin, and quality using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and palynological, proximate, and heavy metal analyses. A total of 24,481 pollen grains and spores were identified, representing 38 plant species from 22 families. The dominant nectar- and pollen-producing plants include Terminalia catappa, Vitex doniana, Brachystegia sp., and Parkia biglobosa . Most samples were multifloral, except those from the Kabba and Owo States, which had fewer floral sources. Heavy metal analysis revealed the presence of Cu (0.101–1.973 mg/kg), Zn (1.755–2.137 mg/kg), Cd (0.001 mg/kg), Mn (0.251–0.817 mg/kg), and Pb (0.0001 mg/kg). VOC analysis detected 166 compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, terpenes, furans, and lactones, which contribute to the distinctive aroma of honey. Owo honey exhibited the highest number of VOCs (78), followed by Ede (52), and Atan-Ota (38). Unique VOC profiles in samples from Ogun State reflected local plant diversity, supporting efforts to authenticate honey. This study provides valuable insights into the botanical origin, purity, and contamination level of honey. These findings support consumer confidence and guide regulatory agencies to ensure honey quality. By understanding the complex interactions between local flora, honeybees, and honey composition, stakeholders can make informed decisions to promote the authenticity and safety of honey products.

Analysis of water-air multiphase flow through a pipeline with two leaks using numerical and experimental methods

Given that most petroleum companies produce and transport both oil and gas at the same time, multiphase flows are extremely important in the oil and gas industry. Common causes of pipeline leaks include corrosion, aging, and metal deterioration. As a result, developing a practical technique to identify and locate leaks in pipelines is needed. In the present work, a 3D numerical model is developed using Ansys-Fluent considering the Volume Of Fluid (VOF) approach coupled with thek − εturbulence model to investigate the occurrence of simultaneous leaks (1 st leak 3 mm and 2 nd leak 1.8 mm) within a pipeline conveying multiphase flow. The numerical results are validated against experimental data collected from a flow loop system in the Lab, where a significant level of agreement was observed. Moreover, the flow behavior in the pipeline, as well as in the surrounding area of the leaks (water tank), is evaluated. For instance, the case showing the lowest value of the air volume fraction in the pipeline presents the highest value in the water tank. Additionally, Log Mel Spectrogram representation allows the identification of occurring phenomena, including air phase introduction and the presence of leakage in the pipeline.

Investigating radiative heat transfer, varied wall thickness, and slip effects on Casson nanofluid flow over a stretched sheet with heat source

Understanding the intricate interplay between variable fluid properties such as slip and thermal conductivity when flowing over porous surfaces is of utmost importance for a wide range of engineering applications. This investigation delves into this uncharted territory, connecting the analytical capabilities of HAM (Homotopy Analysis Method) to reveal captivating insights into the impact of these variables on the dynamics of Casson nanofluid flow. Besides, we documented the flow aspects which include thermal radiation, heat source, variable wall thickness and chemical reaction. We alter the partial differential flow-related conditions into nonlinear ordinary ones employing the similarity transformation approach. Then, using a popular semi-analytical technique known as the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM), we were able to untangle them. This method yields to power series solutions to nonlinear differential equations. To illustrate the impact of the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles, parametric research has been done using tables and diagrams. In the limiting sense, the numerical results of our methodology are in great association with the outcomes of previous research. Finally, it is noted that higher values of the velocity slip parameter cause an enhancement in fluid velocity, while escalating values of the thermal slip parameter cause a decline in temperature distribution.